Automobile door outer handle capable of preventing mistaken touch based on arrayed electrodes and automobile

Abstract

The utility model relates to a mistaken touch prevention automobile door outer handle based on arrayed electrodes and an automobile. The mistaken touch prevention automobile door outer handle comprises a capacitance digital conversion circuit, a processor and a sensing unit. The sensing unit is at least provided with a main electrode, at least one auxiliary electrode is arranged on each of the two sides of the main electrode, the outer surface, away from the vehicle body direction, of the handle serves as a sensing area, and the main electrode and the auxiliary electrodes form at least three arranged self-capacitance induction electric fields used for sensing that an external object approaches and / or makes contact with the sensing area. A guide mark is arranged on the outer surface of the handle on the sensing area and corresponds to the position of the main electrode; the capacitance-to-digital conversion circuit is respectively coupled with each electrode; the processor capacitively couples the digital conversion circuit. According to the utility model, through the arrangement form of at least three self-capacitance electrodes, the problem of mistaken touch of a capacitance detection type automobile door outer handle is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the automotive field, and more particularly to an anti-accidental-touch door handle based on an array of electrodes, and to automobiles. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most of the automotive industry has implemented "keyless entry systems," meaning car owners no longer need to rummage through their bags for keys. Simply approaching the car, the vehicle automatically senses the key in their bag. The owner then simply touches the sensor button on the door handle to unlock the door, providing a more convenient and secure driving experience. As an important component of the "keyless entry system," in addition to button-type keyless switches, the handle also offers a more intuitive capacitive touch switch, which activates the sensing circuit with a light touch.

[0003] The following two documents refer to patents that utilize this technology in the market:

[0004] (1) CN202211602933.9, “A Touch Control Method and Touch Processing System for a Hidden Door Handle,” mentions periodically collecting capacitance data, and the smart device storing historical capacitance data. A capacitance threshold is generated based on the collected historical capacitance data, and a capacitance difference is generated based on the average capacitance value and the current value. The opening and closing commands of the hidden door handle are generated through the capacitance threshold and the difference. This method is used to reduce the impact of environmental factors and long-term sensor use on the state judgment of the hidden door handle.

[0005] (2) CN202111315366.4, "A Multi-Contact Capacitive Electric Door Opening Control System and Method," introduces the principle of capacitance detection. It detects changes in capacitance based on the number of touches and determines whether the door opening condition is triggered based on the capacitance change signal. This replaces the traditional mechanical drive, eliminating the need for pressure to generate a signal. It enables the implementation of an intelligent door opening system at a low cost, extending the lifespan of the door lock.

[0006] As this technology was gradually applied, everyone solved the problem of applying capacitive sensing to car exterior door handles, but overlooked the problem of accidental touches on car exterior door handles. For example: 1. When it rains or the car is washed, water splashes on the car's capacitive sensing door handle, which can easily cause accidental touches and open the car door; 2. When a person or metal moves around or makes large-area contact with the car's capacitive sensing door handle, it can also cause the car door to open.

[0007] This invention aims to solve the problem of accidental activation of capacitive detection type automotive door handles. Utility Model Content

[0008] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an anti-accidental-touch exterior door handle based on an array of electrodes.

[0009] As a solution, the exterior door handle includes a capacitance-to-digital conversion circuit, a processor, and a sensing unit. The sensing unit has at least a main electrode, and at least one auxiliary electrode is arranged on each side of the main electrode. The outer surface of the handle away from the vehicle body serves as the sensing area. The main electrode and each auxiliary electrode form at least three arranged self-capacitance induced electric fields for sensing the approach and / or contact of external objects in the sensing area. The outer surface of the handle in the sensing area is provided with a guide mark corresponding to the position of the main electrode. The capacitance-to-digital conversion circuit is coupled to each electrode respectively. The processor capacitively couples the digital conversion circuit.

[0010] The exterior door handle provided by this utility model also includes the following auxiliary solutions:

[0011] Furthermore, the areas of each electrode are the same and / or the spacing between each electrode is the same.

[0012] Furthermore, the auxiliary electrodes on both sides of the main electrode are symmetrically arranged along the center line of the main electrode.

[0013] Furthermore, the capacitance-to-digital conversion circuit has at least two self-capacitance acquisition channels and two mutual capacitance acquisition channels; the anti-accidental touch door handle includes a switch array, which forms a time-division multiplexing channel between the electrode and the self-capacitance acquisition channel and between the electrode and the mutual capacitance acquisition channel; the capacitance-to-digital conversion circuit couples each electrode through the switch array; the processor couples the switch array.

[0014] Furthermore, the main electrode and each auxiliary electrode are located on the same plane.

[0015] Furthermore, the main electrode and each auxiliary electrode are arranged along the length of the handle.

[0016] Furthermore, the exterior door handles are concealed to prevent accidental activation.

[0017] Another vehicle is provided, including the aforementioned anti-accidental-touch exterior door handle.

[0018] The door handle solution of this utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects by means of at least three self-capacitance sensing electric fields formed by at least three electrodes: (1) the ratio of capacitance change of the main electrode and auxiliary electrode formed by finger clicking on the mark is different from that of rain, car washing or large-area human body close to it, so as to prevent accidental touch recognition; (2) the arrangement of electric fields allows for further perception of the wiping sequence, so as to avoid accidentally opening the door when wiping with a cloth or spraying water to clean, causing damage to the car or passengers; (3) the self-capacitance characteristics increase the effective sensing distance, so as to achieve a simple, feasible and low-cost solution. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a structure with three electrodes distributed in a concealed door handle is given.

[0020] Figure 2 The topology of the capacitance-to-digital converter circuit for acquiring the self-capacitance of the electrodes is given.

[0021] Figure 3 The topology of the capacitance-to-digital converter circuit is given, which acquires the self-capacitance and mutual capacitance of the electrodes through a switch array. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 The exterior door handle 100 has a built-in PCB board, which contains a capacitor-to-digital converter circuit, a processor, and a capacitive sensing unit constructed from distributed electrodes.

[0024] As an example, the sensing unit includes at least a first electrode 201, a second electrode 202, and a third electrode 203. The second electrode 202 serves as the main electrode, and the first electrode 201 and the third electrode 203 are distributed on the left and right sides of the main electrode as auxiliary electrodes. The three electrodes form a side-by-side structure, and the left and right sides can have more outward-extending electrodes. As a basic solution, at least three electrodes are required to form anti-mistouch recognition.

[0025] The outer surface of the handle 100 away from the vehicle body is used as the sensing area. The main electrode and each auxiliary electrode form at least three self-capacitance sensing electric fields. Each self-capacitance sensing electric field is arranged along a set direction and the direction of the self-capacitance electric field is towards the direction away from the vehicle body, forming a long effective sensing distance to detect the approach and / or contact sensing area of ​​external objects.

[0026] Reference Figure 2 The capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) circuit 400 is coupled to the processor. The CDC circuit 400 is coupled to three electrodes 201, 202, and 203 respectively. A selector switch 601 time-division multiplexing method is used to acquire the capacitance changes of electrodes 201, 202, and 203 relative to ground 500. The CDC circuit 400, such as using ADI 7142 or ADI 7147, employs a Δ-Σ modulation method, repeatedly charging and discharging the capacitor under test and comparing it with a reference capacitance (see: US Patent Number: 5,134,401), to directly convert the measured capacitance value into a digital value, improving the measurement sensitivity to the 1ff level while removing stray capacitance.

[0027] A guide mark 300 is set on the outer surface of the handle 100 on the sensing area corresponding to the position of the main electrode. A visual mark can be used to guide the finger to touch.

[0028] When a finger is aligned with the 300-point mark on the main electrode, the capacitance change of the main electrode is the largest and forms a certain proportional relationship with the capacitance change of the two auxiliary electrodes. However, when rainwater or a large area of ​​the human body comes into contact with the main electrode, the proportional relationship between the main electrode and the two auxiliary electrodes cannot be satisfied. This method is used to prevent accidental touch. When a user washes the car, the area of ​​the wiping cloth and the area of ​​the water spray gun can easily cover at least two electrodes on the handle 100 simultaneously. At the same time, the three-electrode structure can sense the wiping sequence, and these signals are used to prevent accidental touch.

[0029] As an optional implementation scheme, refer to Figure 3 The capacitance-to-digital conversion circuit 400 has at least two channels: a self-capacitance acquisition channel and a mutual capacitance acquisition channel. The anti-accidental touch door handle 100 includes an analog switch array 602 integrated within the processor, such as using MOSFETs to build a microelectronic switch. The switch array 602 forms a time-division multiplexing channel 603 between the electrode and the self-capacitance acquisition channel and between the electrode and the mutual capacitance acquisition channel. The capacitance-to-digital conversion circuit 400 couples electrodes 201, 202, and 203 respectively through the switch array 602. The processor couples the switch array 602 and controls the switch array 602 to switch the electrodes between self-capacitance acquisition and mutual capacitance acquisition in a time-division multiplexing manner. By adding mutual capacitance acquisition, the changes in rainfall between heavy rain and light rain are further distinguished. The processor adjusts the switching threshold based on the rainfall changes. When the capacitance change of the main electrode is greater than the threshold, the door is opened or closed. The adjustment of the switching threshold with the rainfall can modify the detection sensitivity, further reducing the possibility of false triggering.

[0030] In the above scheme, the area and / or spacing of the various electrodes can be equal or unequal. Designing electrodes 201, 202, and 203 with the same area and / or the same spacing between them is beneficial for the consistency of capacitance changes and facilitates manufacturing. In schemes with unequal areas and / or spacings, some computational effort can be invested to compensate for differences in capacitance changes through calibration. Similarly, setting the auxiliary electrodes on both sides of the main electrode symmetrically along the centerline of the main electrode, and / or having the main electrode and all auxiliary electrodes located on the same plane, further improves the consistency of capacitance changes.

[0031] Furthermore, the main electrode and each auxiliary electrode are arranged along the length of the handle 100. Combined with the lateral distribution of the handle 100, it can better perceive the horizontal approach or left and right wiping of the human hand.

[0032] The technology of this invention can be used in pull-type door handles 100 and also in concealed door handles 100. When applied to concealed door handles 100, since the electrodes sense the approach and / or contact of objects on the outer surface of the handle 100 away from the vehicle body, the switching operation can be performed on the outer surface of the handle 100, resulting in a more suitable fit for concealed door handles 100.

[0033] The capacitive solution of this utility model is simple, feasible, and low in cost. It can improve the safety, reliability, and accuracy of capacitive sensors in automotive exterior door handles, and prevent accidental triggering of the door handle from causing harm to the vehicle or passengers.

[0034] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the essence and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model.

Claims

1. A door handle for preventing accidental contact based on an array of electrodes, characterized in that: Includes a capacitor-to-digital converter circuit, a processor, and a sensing unit; The sensing unit has at least a main electrode, and at least one auxiliary electrode is arranged on each side of the main electrode. The outer surface of the handle away from the vehicle body is used as the sensing area. The main electrode and each auxiliary electrode form at least three self-capacitance induced electric fields for sensing the approach and / or contact of external objects with the sensing area. The outer surface of the handle on the sensing area is provided with a guide mark corresponding to the position of the main electrode. The capacitor-to-digital converter circuit is coupled to each electrode separately; Processor capacitively coupled digital conversion circuit.

2. The anti-accidental touch door handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: All electrodes have the same area and / or the spacing between all electrodes is the same.

3. The anti-accidental touch door handle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The auxiliary electrodes on both sides of the main electrode are symmetrically arranged along the center line of the main electrode.

4. The anti-accidental touch door handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: Capacitor-to-digital converter circuits have at least two channels for acquiring self-capacitance and two channels for acquiring mutual capacitance. The anti-accidental touch door handle includes a switch array, which forms a time-division multiplexing channel between the electrode and the self-capacitance acquisition channel and between the electrode and the mutual capacitance acquisition channel; The capacitor-to-digital converter circuit couples each electrode separately through a switch array; Processor-coupled switch array.

5. The anti-accidental touch door handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main electrode and each auxiliary electrode are located on the same plane.

6. The anti-accidental touch exterior door handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main electrode and each auxiliary electrode are arranged along the length of the handle.

7. The anti-accidental touch door handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exterior door handles are concealed to prevent accidental activation.

8. A car, characterized in that, Includes the anti-accidental touch door handle as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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